Just put a deposit down on this 1978 P Bass - Serial # S846732 - at Dan's Guitars, here in Honolulu. My very first bass, bought brand new in San Francisco in 1976, was a 1974 Sunburst P Bass, and can't say I knew enough about bass playing/amps/eq'ing to say I ever liked it. Traded it for an '86 Ibanez Sound Gear 800 ( I know, not the best straight-across trade I could have made!), and after that, have never had an authentic Fender. A couple of parts/Frankensteins yes, but a real vintage Fender bass, no - until now!
It's a bit road-worn, but sounds very good, and no dead spots on the neck. Even with old strings, it sounds full and rich. So what did I buy it for, you ask? $1100... got a bit excited about it, and should have asked Dan if I could un-bolt the neck, check the numbers, pots etc., and I will do that before I pay the balance, but, Dan's is a reputable dealer, and I feel confident it is what it is...
Go figure though, a black body, with white pickup covers! I like the Maple neck, which feels more like a jazz neck than a P... OK, here are pics...
Don't mind the knobby knees on the last one! Maybe I should have that airbrushed on there... OK not!
Although I've been playing my Ibanez 6-string solid for the last year and-a-half, it feels right to have a real authentic Fender back in my line-up, especially after all I've been reading here on the '78's. After I've brought this one home I'll take interior photos, and put up a sound clip for y'all... I'm excited to finally say I own a real Fender!
